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How to Gather a Small Group
 Although
we may have people around us all day long chatting on cell phones
or computers, many of us still long for deeper conversations
about the most important things in life. This essential dialogue
is the most natural human way to deepen our companionship with
others—and answer the profound loneliness and longing
for communion found in so many modern hearts.
When we suggest that you "gather a small group," we don't mean gathering a group of perfect strangers under the fluorescent lights of a Church basement, enduring awkward silences and being forced to "share your feelings." (Sorry, but that doesn't sound very comfortable to us!)
Instead, we suggest gathering people that you already know in a way and manner that is attractive and natural. Since our Life After Sunday materials are based on the deepest desires of the human heart, we recommend a starting point that includes friendship, food, laughter, and maybe a bit of wine!
Getting Started
Invite a small group of friends or acquaintances over for a
simple meal. During your conversation, explore their interest
in getting together regularly to discuss the important issues
of human life together. You may want to download and print out
our Destiny Issue to use as a tool for this first gathering.
Read and discuss the lead article. Or depending on the group's
interest, you can save it for the next time you meet.
If anyone has a friend or acquaintance they think would like
to be included, have them bring him or her along next time.
Then pick a date and place, preferably hosted by someone else
in the group. Since there is plenty of discussion material in
the Destiny Issue, your group can explore another article
then if that suits your needs. In the meantime, you can decide
if Life After Sunday is the best resource for your discussion
or some other material, such as Scripture study. (We are always
happy to recommend the living Presence of Christ in the Word!)
Not sure which Life After Sunday small group discussion
package best suits your group's needs? Start with a single issue
on a theme of interest to the group. You can also check out
our tips below for new and established groups.
If you need to talk to a real person about getting your group
started, please don't hesitate to contact us! Send a note to
jessica@lifeaftersunday.com
or call us at 1-800-473-7980. We'd love to hear from you.
Tips for Mothers' Groups
Sometimes a mother can feel isolated at home with young children.
If you know only one or two other women to invite, ask your
pastor to allow you to run a bulletin announcement seeking others.
Some of our Life After Sunday Mothers' Groups gather
for coffee on weekday mornings, many with small children in
tow! This can sometimes make the discussion hectic, but beautiful
things always happen with the little ones about. Mothers seeking
a more thoughtful atmosphere (!) may want to consider gathering
for an early morning breakfast or a pot luck dinner.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday for Mothers' Groups; The Intimate Path
Tips for Young Adults
Sick of the bar scene or sitting around watching DVDs with your friends? Gather for dinner and a deeper, more focused conversation. Since some young adults may find the prospect of hosting a group and serving a meal to be daunting, simply have everyone bring a few dollars apiece and send out for pizza! Or have everyone bring one dish, or even just a bag of chips and a couple of beers. Young adults are often busy with school and work, so biweekly gatherings seem to work well for many.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday for New Catholics or read and discuss one of our single issues such as Follow, Mystery, Security or Fulfillment.
Tips for Men's Groups
Some men balk at the idea of getting together "for discussion."
Yet many have never felt so isolated from the secure companionship
of others as they strive to make their way out in the secular
world. Since Life After Sunday materials focus on the
most fully human concerns of every person, they resonate with
the experience of men trying to take care of those who have
been given to them, stewarding their time and resources.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday for Stewardship or read and discuss one of our single issues on themes like Freedom, Risk and Mystery.
Tips for Stewardship Groups
People interested in stewardship are often together because of parish or institutional committees. But that doesn't mean that their discussion has to be impersonal. Since the fully human definition of stewardship goes far beyond "time, talent and treasure," encompassing the whole Christian life, we recommend that you include friends and family who may share your stewardship interests.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday for Stewardship
Tips for New Catholics
Men and women who have entered the Church at Easter often miss
the companionship of those with whom they have spent so much
time during R.C.I.A. instruction. Others are ready to expand
their circle to include the family and friends-maybe even some
still skeptical-who have brought them into the Catholic Church.
Life After Sunday lends itself to a fruitful discussion
for every person, no matter where they are in their path to
Christ.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday for New Catholics
Tips for Established Groups
Sometimes groups that have been together for a long time can
get stuck in the way they relate to each other, especially if
they've been reading material that does not foster conversations
of the heart. We suggest a fresh new approach with some fresh
new material. We've been told that Life After Sunday
often prompts "the best discussion of the year" when
introduced into established small groups. Try the first article
of the Destiny Issue and see if your group begins a deeper
conversation.
Suggested Material: Life After Sunday's premier series, The Intimate Path or read and discuss single issues like Freedom, Power, Security and Risk.
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